Mobile services revenue in Thailand declined 12.6 percent in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic which impacted subscription growth and mobile service average revenue per user (ARPU) levels, according to GlobalData. Mobile subscriptions in Thailand also declined by 2 percent in 2020.
The plunge in mobile services revenue has mainly to do with the free mobile services and extra mobile data allowances provided at no additional cost by the operators to support their subscribers amid the pandemic.
Earlier this month, it was reported that DTAC is set to deploy its 5G network in the 700MHz spectrum band to expand coverage and capacity nationwide and is partnering with Ericsson to do so.
In this regard, DTAC chief technology officer Prathet Tankuranun told the media, “DTAC sets the priority on bringing high-speed internet service to all of our customers. We never stop and are speeding up the development of our nationwide 4G and 5G networks.
“The latter is being deployed on the low-band 700MHz, which will enhance our network efficiency across Thailand, particularly the high-density downtown areas with high-rise buildings. Our customers can experience better and better services from our restless efforts to roll out networks through utilising Massive MIMO technology to increase the upload and download speed by three times. We connect everyone to every important thing in life.”
Last year, it was reported that Huawei is planning to develop a 5G ecosystem innovation centre at the Digital Economy Promotion Agency’s (DEPA) headquarters in Thailand. Huawei was to invest around ฿475 million for the development of the 5G ecosystem innovation centre in Thailand.